, 1887-09-07
CLEVELAND SPEAKS.
Ballard Smiths Interview
With the President.
He Speaks Upon Topics of
National Interest.
The Wheeling Incident and
Civil Service Reform.

RuDllsn o-morr0W over the signature OF
allar Smith the results of an interview
with President Cleveland had at Oak
view last week. In this interview is set
forth to the extent of six columns Cleye
land s views upon such topics of national
interest and Importance as his renomina-
ton, civil service reform, the financial
situation. the Wheeling incident and his
coming visit to the South and West. The
president said:
u fully appreciate the valuable work
which the World has done in the refor-
nation of abuses in New York and its
efforts in many directions In behalf of the
people. No man in this country can
know the embarrassment and perplexities
which have surrounded me in attempting
to amend the condition of public affairs,
with these limitations to the immediate
successful accomplishment of my pur.
pose, but guided by every light possible
to be made, | know | am irving to bring
about a remedy without the least personal
ambition.
Notwithstanding the natural aggra
walton which | have felt in noting the
apparent disposition against me personal
ly, L see the desire of Pulitzer, through
the World, to aid in the same direction,
but the fact is | am of necessity the per
son now ~to-bring this reform about, and
Is there any better way to secure the ac-
complishment of reform than helping me
to accomplish it, if he believes me honest
in purpose?
Let me say here Cleveland contin
ued, If the disappointment arising
from my inability to name for office all
those named by near personal and politi-
cal friends, were sufficient to cause aiiena
ton, those who would wish me well would
be very few to-day"
In q subsequent conversation the presi-
dent said that the composition Of the
Pacific railway commission had been a
matter of unusual thought and
consideration with him, and in
view of the valuable information
obtained he was very glad the
question decided by Justice Field
against the commission had not been
raised earlier. Their dispatch, recon
mending the employment of additional
counsel had been answered Immediately
and full power given them. Why such
counsel had not been employed he had
not been informed; but he understood
that a reasonable adjournment to examine
into the law had been expected,
Concerning the recent events in the
| 4AlhlSf vi ~ IAN Sdlus Inc
soldier having laid down his arms, after
making so many sacrifices and enduring
so many hardships and having achieved
such vast and good work in p~erpetuating
our republic, should be pre-. eminently the
best citizen. When he again in time
of peace resumes his citizenship,
his desire for the quiet of his country and
its prosperity entirely depend Upon these,
and should be emphasized by the very
trials he has undergone. | don't believe
he can be carried away from even the
plan OF that good citizenship by the de
vices OF INSCRIPTIONS, who would use
him for partisan purposes"
Further, he said, he did not fear there
would be any overt action at st. Louis in
retaliation for the Wheeling incident, be
cause it was contrary to what he knew to
be the spirit of the municipal and COM
mercial bodies, which had invited him
there and which he believed to be the
spirit of the whole people of St. Louis.
With the progress of civil service re-
form the president is very much pleased.
I'm the first year and a half of my ad-
ministration,' said the president, men
came here by hundreds-by the thous-
ands-each company filling the room,
emptying it only to make way for another
throng, and there was always the same
formula: 4 have come, Mr.. President,
to ask that -- be removed. The
reason?' | would say. Why, he is a Re
publican, would be the uniform answer.
This was repeated over and over and
over and over again. In each successive
case and with seemingly hopeless iteration
| had always could have but the same
answer: You must bring me proof of
his unftness as a public officer.
II understand very well their inability
to comprehend this. Knowing worry well
the process which had obtained here for
so many years, | could but sympathize
with their inability. But now the for
mula is changed | have not heard that
expression for many months past. 1t is
now at the outset Of every application for
a change: This mar is unfit, a
faithlessspublic servant, and these are
the reasons. Is mot this a very great
deal to have accomplished? Is not this
sufficient answer for the time that has in
tervened to those who may complain that
more has not been Accomplished"
Concerning the question of his renomi
nation. Cleveland said: 1T seems to be
the universal belief that a president must
desire denomination. | cannot understand
how any man who has served one term
could have the personal ambition in Sc.
curing a second term, with all its solemn
responsibilities, its harassing duties and
its constant and g~rievous exactions upon
his mental and physical strength. His
consent, it seems 10 me, to &C.
cept a second term should rest
only upon his sense of the solemn obliga-
ton as a citizen and the appreciation of
his duty, when called upon to bear his
particular part of the burden of citizen
ship. Thus the office can have-at least
it can have for memo personal allure
ments. | hope my present term may be
concluded with profit to the country and
with as few mistakes on my own part as
are incident to human nature
Tornado In Ohio.
TOLEDO, Sept. Ga tornado passed
about four miles west of this city this
evening, doing considerable damage to